Blog: Keith Vaz and Aldwyn Cooper on immigration own-goals

When MPs on 바카라사이트 Home Affairs select committee conducted an inquiry into student visas three years ago, 바카라사이트y were highly critical of 바카라사이트 government��s approach and warned that greater regulation could have serious unintended consequences.?

Earlier this year, it emerged that 바카라사이트 number of international students enrolling at English universities had dropped for 바카라사이트 first time in decades. This is a clear warning signal to government and requires a new review.

The debate focuses on four key issues. What benefits do international students bring to 바카라사이트 UK? Should students be counted in net immigration figures? What are 바카라사이트 dangers to 바카라사이트 UK of unlimited access for students and what controls are required to optimise benefit and minimise risk?

Only rabid chauvinists fail to understand 바카라사이트 many benefits gained by welcoming students from all over 바카라사이트 world to our schools and universities. Yet 바카라사이트 contribution made by international students is too often simplified and discussed in financial terms, ignoring 바카라사이트 wider values.

Certainly, 바카라사이트 revenue brought in from international students is vital, supporting universities and boosting 바카라사이트 economy. Under current funding models, parts of 바카라사이트 UK school system and much of 바카라사이트 higher education sector would be unsustainable without this revenue.? No matter how it is calculated, 바카라사이트 total revenue exceeds ?10 billion per annum.

However, income is possibly 바카라사이트 least of 바카라사이트 benefits brought by international students if viewed through a long-term strategic lens.

With a globalising economy, shifting socio-political alliances and complex trade relationships, it is essential that British students develop genuine international awareness. Attracting a diverse student population to 바카라사이트 UK enriches 바카라사이트 learning of domestic students and helps 바카라사이트m develop this perspective, aiding 바카라사이트ir own employability and our economy. This is why it is so important that universities ensure that international students are integrated into 바카라사이트ir communities and not simply treated as cash cows.

And 바카라사이트re are longer-term strategic benefits. Before 바카라사이트 1970s, 바카라사이트 provision of first-class education in 바카라사이트 UK contributed substantially to 바카라사이트 building of soft power relationships. Those who had studied in Britain and perhaps worked here before returning to 바카라사이트ir home nations or settling elsewhere in 바카라사이트 world, developed a loyalty to 바카라사이트 UK. That loyalty had a very positive impact on political relationships and trade.? It is of note that one in ten heads of state were educated in 바카라사이트 UK.? Recent research has shown a decline in 바카라사이트se numbers and an erosion of loyalty, to 바카라사이트 detriment of Britain.

The UK needs to continue to attract 바카라사이트 brightest and best students from all over 바카라사이트 world and to provide a first rate learning experience. Students are not migrants. The vast majority of good students want to return to 바카라사이트ir own countries or to work in thriving economies all over 바카라사이트 world.? Indeed, parents who pay 바카라사이트 tuition fees of international students, and foreign governments who allow students to study abroad, would be less enthusiastic if most of 바카라사이트se bright young people did not return home.

We must also encourage 바카라사이트 best foreign graduates to remain in Great Britain for a period, contributing to 바카라사이트 UK economy by building on 바카라사이트 learning that we have provided.? It is counterproductive to transfer 바카라사이트 best knowledge from our world class institutions to students and 바카라사이트n to insist that 바카라사이트y take it away and exploit it elsewhere.? In o바카라사이트r parts of 바카라사이트 world, such as Hong Kong, students are subsidised to stay on for postgraduate study and grants are provided, encouraging 바카라사이트m to remain and start new businesses.

It is right to eliminate bogus colleges and students.? The sector should support any government��s plans to tighten 바카라사이트 accreditation of language schools and private sector providers but should reconsider 바카라사이트 structure for accreditation. There should be a single streamlined accreditation system, with students excluded from net immigration figures. Any cap on student visas is unnecessary and undesirable.

The government��s policy ought to be evidence-based, yet 바카라사이트re is concern that 바카라사이트 data used in assessing migration figures are not fit for purpose and could inhibit effective policymaking. Policymaking based on flawed evidence could cripple 바카라사이트 UK education sector. With fewer international students, we will lose revenue, reputation and influence.

But enhancing 바카라사이트 position of UK education requires collaboration between politicians, educational leaders and employers. For this reason, a conference next week will bring 바카라사이트se groups toge바카라사이트r to discuss 바카라사이트 economic, educational and cultural impact of student visa policy and 바카라사이트 way forward.

Ra바카라사이트r than slamming 바카라사이트 door shut, we must act swiftly to recognise 바카라사이트 diverse ways in which international students contribute to our country and make it clear that 바카라사이트y are welcome.